CVS Health released a study showing fewer cigarettes sold and more purchases of smoking patches in the months after the pharmacy chain removed tobacco products from its shelves.

Marking one year since tobacco sales were curtailed, CVS Health Chief Medical Officer Troyen Brennan said the data demonstrate “the positive impact our decision has had on public health.”
Cigarette and patch purchases at pharmacies, groceries, big-box retailers, discount stores, convenience outlets and petrol stations were monitored and compiled into the study by CVS Health Research Institute. In states where CVS has 15 per cent or more of the retail pharmacy market, cigarette sales were down one per cent more than in states where the 7.800-store chain has a smaller market share. In total, about 95 million fewer packs were sold in the CVS states in the eight months after tobacco products were pulled. Purchases of nicotine patches rose 4 per cent in the CVS states and average monthly ‘Start to Stop’ smoking cessation visits at CVS MinuteClinics doubled.